The California Multi-Agency Monarch and Pollinator Collaborative has published a report detailing priority conservation actions and research needs for the western monarch butterfly, capping a years-long, 13-agency effort to address mounting threats to a species that has declined catastrophically in recent years.
“Monarch recovery starts with restoring habitat, expanding native plants and aligning science with on-the-ground action across agencies and partners. This roadmap gives 13 state and federal entities — and the public — a shared path forward to help these iconic pollinators rebound,” said Meghan Hertel, Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
The report, titled “Conservation Priorities for the Western Monarch Butterfly in California,” lays out five top-priority actions for the next three years.
- Develop common monarch habitat definitions for the west
- Track implementation and success of habitat projects
- Centralize existing pollinator resources
- Improve the availability of native plant materials
- Develop a demographic model to help identify key vulnerabilities in the western monarch life cycle
It also identifies critical knowledge gaps, including the effects of pesticides on monarchs, the effectiveness of conservation strategies on rangelands, and the impacts of wildfire on monarch habitat. The Collaborative calls for stronger coordination with California Native American tribes to advance pollinator conservation across the state.
“The western monarch’s journey is a testament of their endurance. Their survival — as well as other pollinators — requires a collective, persistent effort to turn our landscapes into welcoming habitats,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “By leveraging shared resources and expertise, we can enhance monarch and pollinator conservation throughout the West Coast.”…